Oak Openings eBook

“Waal, I can say, I like it,” answered
Gershom, first passing his thumb along the edge of
the axe, in order to ascertain its state; then swinging
the tool, with a view to try its “hang.”

“I can’t say much for your axe, stranger,
for this helve has no tarve to’t, to my mind;
but, sich as it is, down must come this elm, though
ten millions of bees should set upon me for my pains.”

This was no idle boast of Waring’s. Worthless
as he was in so many respects, he was remarkably skilful
with the axe, as he now proved by the rapid manner
in which he severed the trunk of the large elm on
which he was at work. He inquired of Ben where
he should “lay the tree,” and when it
came clattering down, it fell on the precise spot
indicated. Great was the confusion among the bees
at this sudden downfall of their long-cherished home.
The fact was not known to their enemy, but they had
inhabited that tree for a long time; and the prize
now obtained was the richest he had ever made in his
calling. As for the insects, they filled the air
in clouds, and all the invaders deemed it prudent
to withdraw to some little distance for a time, lest
the irritated and wronged bees should set upon them
and take an ample revenge. Had they known their
power, this might easily have been done, no ingenuity
of man being able to protect him against the assaults
of this insignificant-looking animal, when unable
to cover himself, and the angry little heroes are in
earnest. On the present occasion, however, no
harm befell the marauders. So suddenly had the
hive tumbled that its late occupants appeared to be
astounded, and they submitted to their fate as men
yield to the power of tempests and earthquakes.
In half an hour most of them were collected on an
adjacent tree, where doubtless a consultation on the
mode of future proceedings was held, after their fashion.

The Indians were more delighted with le Bourdon’s
ingenious mode of discovering the hive than with the
richness of the prize; while Ben himself, and Gershom,
manifested most satisfaction at the amount of the
earnings. When the tree was cut in pieces, and
split, it was ascertained that years of sweets were
contained within its capacious cavities, and Ben estimated
the portion that fell to his share at more than three
hundred pounds of good honey—­comb included—­after
deducting the portions that were given to the Indians,
and which were abstracted by Gershom. The three
last, however, could carry but little, as they had
no other means of bearing it away than their own backs.

The honey was not collected that night. The day
was too far advanced for that; and le Bourdon—­certainly
never was name less merited than this sobriquet as
applied to the active young bee-hunter—­but
le Bourdon, to give him his quaint appellation, offered
the hospitalities of his own cabin to the strangers,
promising to put them on their several paths the succeeding
day, with a good store of honey in each knapsack.